Season 9 Episode 9: The Recapitulation – End of The Road of Revisions!

Welcome, Cromrades! We've reached the end of The Road of Revisions, and this week we reflect on what we've learned about Robert E. Howard's revision process and discuss the implications of posthumous collaborations.

One Things
Jon: The Helmet Project - an online index of the helmets worn by various American football teams at all levels of play throughout history.
Josh: My Father, The Pornographer: A Memoir by Chris Offutt.
Luke: Blue Oyster Cult - Fire of Unknown Origin

Robert E. Howard's bedroom as it might have looked as he wrote and revised his works...

Where do we go from here? How about setting sail across the gulfs of space to the desert planet of Arrakis?

Frank Herbert's Dune is a science fiction masterpiece that blends elements of fantasy to create a rich and fully realized fictional world.  At first it may seem like this is a substantial departure for us! But fear not (fear is the mind-killer!), because we think you'll see similar themes that we've explored in other stories unfold within this work in a unique way! 

This novel, first published in 1965, finds its roots in the pulps of the day. And that is where we will begin Season 10 - The Road to Arrakis, next time! 

Questions? Comments? Curses?

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Legal Mumbo-Jumbo

Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Themes by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. 

Outro: "Astronomy" by Blue Oyster Cult.  All music was obtained legally; we hope our discussion of this content makes you want to go out and purchase the work!

Season 9 Episode 8: The Expansion – "Nekht Semerkhet" by RE Howard and expanded by Andrew J. Offutt

Greetings, Cromrades! This week, we are reading "Nekht Semerkhet" as orginally written by Robert E. Howard and then expanded upon by Andrew J. Offutt. There's a lot to cover today, including barbarism v. civilization, Egyptian contact theories, and how tropes can become larger than life. Tune in if you dare!

One Things
Jon: It was the War of the Trenches by Jacques Tardi- Graphic novel depicting the brutality of WW1
Josh: Paperbacks from Hell by Grady Hendrix- An examination of 70s/80s paperback horror books
Luke: Lean Times in Lankhmar and Swords in the Mist by Fritz Leiber- You know 'em and love 'em

Next time: We reach the end of The Road of Revisions! We will be recapitulating all we learned and our feelings about the stories, as well as revealing our next road!

Questions? Comments? Curses?

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We're also on Stitcher Radio and Google Play!
Finally.... Call us! (859) 429-CROM!

Legal Mumbo-Jumbo

Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Themes by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. 

Outro: "Walk Like an Egyptian" by The Bangles.  All music was obtained legally; we hope our discussion of this content makes you want to go out and purchase the work!

Season 9 Episode 7: The Weirdification of "The Fire of Asshurbanpal" and The Dark Man Journal with Nicole Emmelhainz-Carney and Jason Ray Carney!

This is a big 'un! We were lucky enough to have Nicole Emmelhainz-Carney and Jason Ray Carney sit in with us for our discussion of "The Fire of Asshurbanpal," which progressed through a variety of iterations as written by Robert E. Howard. Beyond this, we have great discussions about this year's Howard Days, Jason and Nicole's contributions there, and spend some time talking about The Dark Man: Journal of Robert E. Howard and Pulp Studies. Jason and Nicole are taking over the reins from the most recent issue (10.1) onward, so there is a lot of discussion about where this journal is going! Tune in!

Misc. Things
- See here for the Facebook page for The Dark Man, where you can find about about submission deadlines and other info!

- See here for the Imaginary Worlds episode featuring Nicole Emmelhainz, alongside other REH scholars!

- See here for Ben Friberg's extensive video coverage of REH Days! Thanks so much for this continued service, Ben!

- See here for Jason Ray Carney's blog, which is loaded with all kinds of pulp and lit crit goodness!

- See here for the Pulp Studies section of the Popular Culture Association!

One Things
Nicole: The TV show, Longmire!
Jason: The Sorrows of Young Werther, and the Byronic Hero!
Jon: Lost Christianities, by Bart Ehrman!
Josh: Crusader Kings, which is easily accessible at Good Old Games!
Luke: The Books of Blood, by Clive Barker!

Next time... We get expansive when we tackle "Nekht Semerkhet," and get to talk about Kentucky's own Andrew J. Offutt!

Questions? Comments? Curses?
Email us! (thecromcast at gmail dot com)
You know you want to follow us on Twitter!
Did you know that we're on Facebook?
We're posting photos on the Instagrams!
Subscribe to our feed on FeedBurner!
Or, check us out on iTunes!
We're also on Stitcher Radio and Google Play!
Finally.... Call us! (859) 429-CROM!

Legal Mumbo-Jumbo
Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Themes by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. Outro: "We Didn't Start the Fire" by Billy Joel. All music was obtained legally; we hope our discussion of this content makes you want to go out and purchase the work!

Season 9 Episode 6: The Progression of "The Spears of Clontarf" by Robert E. Howard

The Cromcast crew dives into the progression of "The Spears of Clontarf" to "The Grey God Passes" and "The Cairn on the Headland" all by Robert E. Howard. 

What starts as historical fiction featuring Brian Boru and Ireland vs. Brodir of Man and a bunch of Vikings becomes a Cthulu mythos tales featuring an Odin with tentacles! We pick apart why Howard loves Clontarf and what the vicious cycle of Ragnarok might mean for these stories. Tune in!

Odin is a bad mamma jamma

One Things
Jon: Spider-Man: Life Story- What if Spider-Man aged in real time?
Josh: Transmetropolitan and Spider Jerusalem by Warren Ellis- What is journalism?
Luke: Barry on HBO- Bill Hader is a hitman who takes acting classes! What's not to love?

Next time: Get your marshmallows ready because we're lighting up ""The Fire of Asshurbanpal"

Questions? Comments? Curses?

Email us! (thecromcast at gmail dot com)

You know you want to follow us on Twitter!
Did you know that we're on Facebook?
We're posting photos on the Instagrams!
Subscribe to our feed on FeedBurner!
Or, check us out on iTunes!
We're also on Stitcher Radio and Google Play!
Finally.... Call us! (859) 429-CROM!

Legal Mumbo-Jumbo

Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Themes by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. 

Outro: "The Grey God Passes" by Manilla Road.  All music was obtained legally; we hope our discussion of this content makes you want to go out and purchase the work!

Season 9 Episode 5: The Adaptations of "Queen of the Black Coast"!

Greetings, Cromrades! This week we set sail yet again, aboard The Tigress this time and with a different captain! We return to the Hyborian Age to discuss "Queen of the Black Coast", focusing on the original text and two comic book adaptations of the story; one from Marvel by Roy Thomas and John Buscema, and the other from Dark Horse by Brian Wood and Becky Cloonan! We also dig into the philosophy of adapting materials from one medium to another. Get ready, this one's an adventure!

Cover for Weird Tales, May 1934
Art by Margaret Brundage

One Things
Jon: Aquaman, Vol. 6 from ca. 2003.  (Water hand? King Shark? Sub Diego? Pure comic book fun!)
Josh: Civilization V (The Ultimate Time Sink!)
Luke: HBO's Game of Thrones! (Ever heard of it?)

Next time: We face Viking armies on the eastern coast of Ireland in the year 1014!!!

Questions? Comments? Curses?

Email us! (thecromcast at gmail dot com)

You know you want to follow us on Twitter!
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We're posting photos on the Instagrams!
Subscribe to our feed on FeedBurner!
Or, check us out on iTunes!
We're also on Stitcher Radio and Google Play!
Finally.... Call us! (859) 429-CROM!

Legal Mumbo-Jumbo

Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Themes by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. 

Outro: "Queen of the Black Coast" by Manilla Road.  All music was obtained legally; we hope our discussion of this content makes you want to go out and purchase the work!

Season 9 Episode 4: The Transformation of "The Black Stranger" with Rusty Burke!

Yo ho Cromrades! We sail still on the Road of Revisions! In this episode, we engage with "The Transformation"! How does Robert E. Howard's "The Black Stranger" become two other pirate tales- "The Swords of the Red Brotherhood" (also by Howard) and "The Treasure of Tranicos" (by L. Sprague de Camp)? To find out, tune in and join us as we meet up with Howard scholar Rusty Burke for a rousing discussion!

Yarr! Our One Things!
Rusty: Some Notes on a Nonentity: The Life of H.P. Lovecraft by Sam Gafford and Jason Eckhardt.
Jon: Jeremy Wade's Dark Waters! 
Josh: No free time lately - only work, so teaching Entomology.
Luke: Veep on HBO

Next time, it's even more pirates as we tackle... "THE ADAPTATION"!

Questions? Comments? Curses?

Email us! (thecromcast at gmail dot com)

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Or, check us out on iTunes!
We're also on Stitcher Radio and Google Play!
Finally.... Call us! (859) 429-CROM!

Legal Mumbo-Jumbo

Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Themes by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. 

Outro: "Don't Talk to Strangers" by Dio.  All music was obtained legally; we hope our discussion of this content makes you want to go out and purchase the work!

Season 9, Episode 3: The Inspiration – "The Striking of the Gong" by Howard & Carter

Welcome back, Cromrades! We're chugging along The Road of Revisions! In this episode, which we term 'The Inspiration,' we tackle "The Striking of the Gong," which you can find in the Kull collection by Del Ray or perhaps a used copy of King Kull.

A graphic interpretation of the story from The Savage Sword of Conan comic!

Here's the One Things!
Jon: Stardew Valley!
Josh: Harvest Moon - Friends of Mineral Town!
Luke: More gardening! Specifically his zinnia planting!

NEXT TIME.... THE TRANSFORMATION!

Questions? Comments? Curses?
Email us! (thecromcast at gmail dot com)
You know you want to follow us on Twitter!
Did you know that we're on Facebook?
We're posting photos on the Instagrams!
Subscribe to our feed on FeedBurner!
Or, check us out on iTunes!
We're also on Stitcher Radio and Google Play!
Finally.... Call us! (859) 429-CROM!

Legal Mumbo-Jumbo
Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Themes by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. Outro is "Do You Realize" by The Flaming Lips. All music was obtained legally; we hope our discussion of this content makes you want to go out and purchase the work!

Season 9, Episode 2: The Extension – "The God in the Bowl" with Mark Finn!

Welcome back, Cromrades! We're picking up steam as we head down The Road of Revisions with our guest, Mark Finn! In this episode, which we term 'The Extension,' we tackle one of the earliest-written Conan stories, "The God in the Bowl," which didn't see publication until 1952 when it appeared in Space Science Fiction.

An illustration by Mark Schultz in The Coming of Conan the Cimmerian (Del Rey, 2003). 

Mark Finn is a long-standing REH and weird/pulp scholar. You may have heard of his biography, Blood and Thunder? Mark continues to blog at both 'Finn's Wake' and 'Confessions of a Reformed RPGer.' Do yourself a favor and jump over to some of his written material; it is well worth your time!

Beyond Mark's writing, we spend some time in this episode talking about the ongoing series of articles at The Black Gate entitled 'Hither Came Conan,' and discuss some of the points made by Bob Byrne in his article, 'Robert E. Howard Wrote a Police Procedural? With Conan?? Crom!!!'

Anyway, 'nuff with the jibba-jabba... Here's the One Things!

Mark: Red Dead Redemption 2

Jon and Josh: Avengers Endgame! Now showing at a theater near you :)

Luke: Fred Saberhagen's The Broken Lands / Empire of the East

NEXT TIME.... THE INSPIRATION!

Questions? Comments? Curses?
Email us! (thecromcast at gmail dot com)
You know you want to follow us on Twitter!
Did you know that we're on Facebook?
We're posting photos on the Instagrams!
Subscribe to our feed on FeedBurner!
Or, check us out on iTunes!
We're also on Stitcher Radio and Google Play!
Finally.... Call us! (859) 429-CROM!

Legal Mumbo-Jumbo
Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Themes by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. Outro is "Crawling King Snake" by The Doors. All music was obtained legally; we hope our discussion of this content makes you want to go out and purchase the work!

Season 9, Episode 1: The Initiation - Kull and Conan with Karen Joan Kohoutek!

Welcome back, Cromrades! We're excited to get rolling down The Road of Revisions, and we go big with our first episode! Here we tackle the roots of Robert E. Howard's brand of sword and sorcery by going deep with the Kull/Conan dichotomy, and we call in our friend and Howard Scholar Karen Joan Kohoutek to provide us with her insight into this topic. Karen authored an insightful essay comparing "By This Axe I Rule!" and "The Phoenix On The Sword" which was published on On An Underwood #5  July 22, 2018. Read that, and prepare for an epic exploration of these two stories!

The text analysis we discuss toward the end of the episode is below.

Fig. 1 - The Phoenix on the Sword - Most Common Words

Fig. 2 - By This Axe I Rule - Most Common Words

Fig. 3 - Most Frequent Words in "Axe" and "Sword" Combined. 

Fig. 4 - Frequent Word Pairs - Arrows Point to Second Word of the Pair, Increasing Shade of Arrow = Increasing Frequency of the Word Combination

Fig. 5 - Sentiment Scores by Section of "Axe" and "Phoenix"

Fig. 6 - Words Contributing Most Heavily to Sentiment Analysis in "Axe" and "Phoenix". 

One Things
Karen: Star Wars Celebration in Chicago!
Jon: Monster - The Zodiac Killer podcast
Josh: Joining The Appendix N Book Club Podcast for a series of episodes! Luke joined in for a discussion of L. Sprague De Camp's The Goblin Tower on Episode 41, Jon was up next for Conan The Wanderer on Episode 42, and Josh joined in for a Leiberian conversation about Swords Against Wizardry on Episode 43.
Also, we joined Trick or Treat Radio for Episode 350 and discussed The Head Hunter.
If you haven't subscribed to these great shows, you absolutely should!
Luke: Death Metal Gardening! Spring renewal, green growth, and renewal by raiding the soil's nutrients for your crops!

Growth and Graves

Next: A long-awaited story, and an old friend returns... 

"In Mitra's name what is in that chamber?"

Questions? Comments? Curses?

Email us! (thecromcast at gmail dot com)

You know you want to follow us on Twitter!
Did you know that we're on Facebook?
We're posting photos on the Instagrams!
Subscribe to our feed on FeedBurner!
Or, check us out on iTunes!
We're also on Stitcher Radio and Google Play!
Finally.... Call us! (859) 429-CROM!

Legal Mumbo-Jumbo

Our episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Themes by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. 

Outro: "Steel and Silver" by Visigoth.  All music was obtained legally; we hope our discussion of this content makes you want to go out and purchase the work!

Season 9 Story List - The Road of Revisions

The planning is finished and it is time to walk down another road!

Here we go!

Season 9 – The Road of Revisions: An exploration of Robert E. Howard’s revised works, as edited by him and others.

• The Initiation – "By This Axe I Rule!" vs "The Phoenix on the Sword" by Robert E. Howard
• The Extension – "The God in the Bowl" by RE Howard vs "The God in the Bowl" by L. Sprague de Camp
• The Inspiration – "The Striking of the Gong" by RE Howard vs "The Striking of the Gong" amended by Lin Carter
• The Adaptation – Representations of "Queen of the Black Coast" in Comics
• The Transformation – "The Black Stranger" by RE Howard to "Swords of the Red Brotherhood" by RE Howard  to "The Treasure of Tranicos" by L. Sprague de Camp.
• The Progression – "The Spears of Clontarf" to "The Grey God Passes" to "The Cairn on the Headland", all by Robert E. Howard
• The Weirdification – The Weird/Mundane Dichotomy of "The Fire of Asshurbanpal" by Robert E. Howard
• The Expansion – "Nekht Semerkhet" by RE Howard vs "Nekht Semerkhet" expanded by Andrew J. Offutt
• The Recapitulation – What can we learn from exploring the revisions of Howard’s work and comparing them to the original stories and fragments?

Oh, the places we'll go!

As you can see, our path takes us back through the Hyborian Age kingdoms, to the headland near Clontarf, and into territories yet unexplored by our merry band of pulp podcasters! We hope to learn more about Howard's writing process via his editorial efforts on his own writings, and the approach that others have taken to expand upon his ideas. 

We hope you'll join us! 

Questions? Comments? Curses?

Email us! (thecromcast at gmail dot com)

You know you want to follow us on Twitter!
Did you know that we're on Facebook?
We're posting photos on the Instagrams!
Subscribe to our feed on FeedBurner!
Or, check us out on iTunes!
We're also on Stitcher Radio and Google Play!
Finally.... Call us! (859) 429-CROM!